A Study in Character

I discuss character development at http://stephenlbrayton.blogspot.com/

Great article, Stephen.

It seems to me that the better we know our characters, the more real they become. It isn't necessary to share everything we know about them with our readers, but knowing them ourselves makes it so much easier to create effective dialog and/or actions.

You have some very good ideas. If you ever decide to drop into the general discussions with our motley crew, I'm sure you would be welcome. We're a bit like a slightly dysfunctional family, but new perspectives might be very helpful to our group and those who just look in.

Ann

Thanks. I drop in occassionally to see what the topics are.

I was once told that if we know our characters inside out, understand how they feel about eachother, put them in a situation and then the story will present itself and all we have to do is write it. Hasn't worked for me yet. Has that worked for anyone else?

It works for me - when it works at all. There are still blocked periods, but when the story flows, it is mostly from the drive of the characters.

It also helps me to be able to "flesh them out," or see them and hear them. Spend some time thinking about your characters' appearance, maybe do a character sketch, or think of someone you know or an actor whose work resonates for you.

It also helps to know the setting of the story. If you haven't been there, and can't go there, google the place, or if it is an imaginary place, write a description. Make it as vivid as you can. If it is a real place, study its history. Use the blocked periods to intensify the elements in your mind through these activities.

For me, the actual plot just grows out of those elements. The better I know them, the more often the story flows on its own.

Ann

There wouldn't be an ending for any of my stories without the characters pushing me towards it.